Patents by Inventor John S. Staral
John S. Staral has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 6468715Abstract: A thermal mass transfer donor element is provided that includes a thermal transfer layer and a light-to-heat conversion layer, wherein the light-to-heat conversion layer has at least two regions exhibiting different absorption coefficients. The thermal transfer donor elements provided can improve imaging performance by increasing transfer sensitivity and decreasing imaging defects.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2001Date of Patent: October 22, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Thomas R. Hoffend, Jr., John S. Staral
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Patent number: 6461793Abstract: A thermal transfer donor element is provided which comprises a support, a light-to-heat conversion layer, an interlayer, and a thermal transfer layer. When the above donor element is brought into contact with a receptor and imagewise irradiated, an image is obtained which is free from contamination by the light-to-heat conversion layer. The construction and process of this invention is useful in making colored images including applications such as color proofs and color filter elements.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2000Date of Patent: October 8, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Jeffrey C. Chang, John S. Staral, William A. Tolbert, Martin B. Wolk, Claire A. Jalbert, Hsin-hsin Chou
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Publication number: 20010024682Abstract: A thermal mass transfer donor element is provided that includes a thermal transfer layer and a light-to-heat conversion layer, wherein the light-to-heat conversion layer has at least two regions exhibiting different absorption coefficients. The thermal transfer donor elements provided can improve imaging performance by increasing transfer sensitivity and decreasing imaging defects.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2001Publication date: September 27, 2001Applicant: 3M Innovative Proprties CompanyInventors: Thomas R. Hoffend, John S. Staral
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Patent number: 6284425Abstract: A thermal transfer donor element is disclosed that includes a substrate, a transfer layer, a light-to-heat conversion layer disposed between the substrate and the transfer layer, and an underlayer disposed between the substrate and the light-to-heat conversion layer. The underlayer manages heat flow between layers of the donor element during imaging. For example, the underlayer can increase heat transport from the light-to-heat conversion layer to the substrate to prevent overheating. The underlayer can also be used to insulate the substrate from heat generated in the light-to-heat conversion layer or to increase heat flow to the transfer layer during imaging. Managing heat flow using an underlayer can improve transfer properties and/or reduce defect formation during imaging.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 1999Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Assignee: 3M Innovative PropertiesInventors: John S. Staral, Thomas R. Hoffend, Jr.
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Patent number: 6270934Abstract: A thermal transfer donor element is provided which comprises a support, a light-to-heat conversion layer, an interlayer, and a thermal transfer layer. When the above donor element is brought into contact with a receptor and imagewise irradiated, an image is obtained which is free from contamination by the light-to-heat conversion layer. The construction and process of this invention is useful in making colored images including applications such as color proofs and color filter elements.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2000Date of Patent: August 7, 2001Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Jeffrey C. Chang, John S. Staral, William A. Tolbert, Martin B. Wolk, Claire A. Jalbert, Hsin-hsin Chou
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Publication number: 20010010884Abstract: An improved electronic display that includes components selected to enhance display performance. The improved display includes an active substrate that has a plurality of thin film transistors and a plurality of thermally transferred color filters that include a colorant in a crosslinked binder. The active substrate can also include a black matrix. Other components in the improved display such as a liquid crystal material, spacers, and bottom polarizer, can be selected to enhance display performance characteristics such as brightness, power consumption, response time, weight, and thickness. The invention also provides a method of forming a color filter substrate for displays including the steps of thermally mass transferring a plurality of color filters and crosslinking the plurality of color filters after transfer. Before the crosslinking step, the plurality of color filters can be inspected and removed for reworking of the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2001Publication date: August 2, 2001Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Paul F. Guehler, Thomas A. Isberg, Kazuhiko Mizuno, Kazuki Noda, Raghunath Padiyath, Richard J. Pokorny, John S. Staral, Jeffrey C. Chang
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Publication number: 20010003642Abstract: A thermal transfer donor element is provided which comprises a support, a light-to-heat conversion layer, an interlayer, and a thermal transfer layer. When the above donor element is brought into contact with a receptor and imagewise irradiated, an image is obtained which is free from contamination by the light-to-heat conversion layer. The construction and process of this invention is useful in making colored images including applications such as color proofs and color filter elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2000Publication date: June 14, 2001Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Jeffrey C. Chang, John S. Staral, William A. Tolbert, Martin B. Wolk, Claire A. Jalbert, Hsin-hsin Chou
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Patent number: 6242152Abstract: The present invention provides a thermal transfer donor element that includes a transfer layer comprising a fully or partially crosslinked material. The crosslinked transfer layer can be imagewise transferred from the donor element to a proximate receptor by imaging the donor element with radiation that can be absorbed and converted into heat by a light-to-heat converter included in the donor element. The heat generated during imaging is sufficient to effect transfer of the crosslinked transfer layer.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2000Date of Patent: June 5, 2001Assignee: 3M Innovative PropertiesInventors: John S. Staral, Jeffrey C. Chang, Kenneth L. Hanzalik
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Patent number: 6228543Abstract: A plasticizer-containing layer can be used in a thermal transfer element to facilitate transfer to a receptor for the formation of a variety of articles. In one method, a receptor is brought into contact with a thermal transfer element that includes a transfer unit having at least one layer with a binder composition and a plasticizer. A portion of the transfer unit is thermally transferred to the receptor. This thermal transfer can be accomplished using, for example, a thermal print head or radiative (e.g., light or laser) thermal transfer. After transfer, the binder composition and the plasticizer (in the portion of the transfer unit that is transferred to the receptor) are reactively coupled.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 1999Date of Patent: May 8, 2001Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Kazuhiko Mizuno, John S. Staral, Richard J. Pokorny
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Patent number: 6228555Abstract: A thermal mass transfer donor element is provided that includes a thermal transfer layer and a light-to-heat conversion layer, wherein the light-to-heat conversion layer has at least two regions exhibiting different absorption coefficients. The thermal transfer donor elements provided can improve imaging performance by increasing transfer sensitivity and decreasing imaging defects.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 1999Date of Patent: May 8, 2001Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Thomas R. Hoffend, Jr., John S. Staral
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Patent number: 6221543Abstract: An improved electronic display that includes components selected to enhance display performance. The improved display includes an active substrate that has a plurality of thin film transistors and a plurality of thermally transferred color filters that include a colorant in a crosslinked binder. The active substrate can also include a black matrix. Other components in the improved display such as a liquid crystal material, spacers, and bottom polarizer, can be selected to enhance display performance characteristics such as brightness, power consumption, response time, weight, and thickness. The invention also provides a method of forming a color filter substrate for displays including the steps of thermally mass transferring a plurality of color filters and crosslinking the plurality of color filters after transfer. Before the crosslinking step, the plurality of color filters can be inspected and removed for reworking of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: 3M Innovatives PropertiesInventors: Paul F. Guehler, Thomas A. Isberg, Kazuhiko Mizuno, Kazuki Noda, Raghunath Padiyath, Richard J. Pokorny, John S. Staral, Jeffrey C. Chang
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Patent number: 6190826Abstract: A thermal transfer donor element is provided which comprises a support, a light-to-heat conversion layer, an interlayer, and a thermal transfer layer. When the above donor element is brought into contact with a receptor and imagewise irradiated, an image is obtained which is free from contamination by the light-to-heat conversion layer. The construction and process of this invention is useful in making colored images including applications such as color proofs and color filter elements.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Jeffrey C. Chang, John S. Staral, William A. Tolbert, Martin B. Wolk, Claire A. Jalbert, Hsin-hsin Chou
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Patent number: 6099994Abstract: A thermal transfer donor element is provided which comprises a support, a light-to-heat conversion layer, an interlayer, and a thermal transfer layer. When the above donor element is brought into contact with a receptor and imagewise irradiated, an image is obtained which is free from contamination by the light-to-heat conversion layer. The construction and process of this invention is useful in making colored images including applications such as color proofs and color filter elements.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1999Date of Patent: August 8, 2000Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Jeffrey C. Chang, John S. Staral, William A. Tolbert, Martin B. Wolk, Claire A. Jalbert, Hsin-hsin Chou
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Patent number: 5998085Abstract: A process is described for forming an emissive or phosphor screen. The process comprises the steps of:a) providing a thermal mass donor element comprising a substrate with a front side and a back side, with a coating of emissive material or phosphor adhered to said front side of said substrate,b) placing said coating of emissive material or phosphor adjacent to a support layer,c) addressing said mass donor element with coherent radiation to heat at least a portion of said coating of emissive material or phosphor to locally transfer at least some of said emissive material or phosphor to said support layer,d) repeating step c) a sufficient number of times to provide a coating of transferred emissive material or phosphor on said support layer in an area of at least 1 square centimeter.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 1997Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: 3M Innovative PropertiesInventors: Thomas A. Isberg, Claire A. Jalbert, John S. Staral, William A. Tolbert, Martin B. Wolk
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Patent number: 5981136Abstract: A thermal transfer donor element is provided which comprises a support, a light-to-heat conversion layer, an interlayer, and a thermal transfer layer. When the above donor element is brought into contact with a receptor and imagewise irradiated, an image is obtained which is free from contamination by the light-to-heat conversion layer. The construction and process of this invention is useful in making colored images including applications such as color proofs and color filter elements.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 1998Date of Patent: November 9, 1999Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Jeffrey C. Chang, John S. Staral, William A. Tolbert, Martin B. Wolk, Claire A. Jalbert, Hsin-hsin Chou
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Patent number: 5976698Abstract: Process and materials are described for selectively placing uniform spacers on a receptor. Spacer elements are placed on a receptor by selectively irradiating a thermal transfer donor sheet comprising a transferable spacer layer. The transferable spacer layer may include particles or fibers to form a composite. The particles may have a spacing dimension either greater than or less than the thickness of the transferable layer. When the spacing dimension of the particle is greater than the thickness of the transferable layer, then the spacing dimension of the particles control the spacing distance. The process and materials are useful in the manufacture of flat panel displays, particularly, liquid crystal display devices.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 1997Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: John S. Staral, Claire A. Jalbert, William A. Tolbert, Martin B. Wolk, Allan R. Martens, Thomas A. Isberg
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Patent number: 5897727Abstract: Optical elements are prepared by the adhesive transfer of at least a low temperature curable (e.g., radiation or room temperature curable, preferably pressure-sensitive) adhesive layer and a conductive layer to a substrate, preferably a transparent, non-birefringent substrate such as ceramic, glass or polymeric film having, for example, a color filter array thereon. The (pressure-sensitive) curable adhesive is cured after the curable adhesive layer has been placed into contact with a final receptor surface (e.g., a color filter array on a liquid crystal panel).Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 1996Date of Patent: April 27, 1999Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: John S. Staral, Naimul Karim, Thomas A. Isberg, Terrance P. Smith, Kevin E. Kinzer
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Patent number: 5766827Abstract: A process for forming an image on a transparent or translucent substrate comprising the steps of providing an imageable element comprising a transparent or translucent glass or polymeric film having a coating of a black metal on one surface thereof, directing radiation in an imagewise distributed pattern at said black metal layer with sufficient intensity to substantially increase the light transmissivity of the medium in the irradiated region in an imagewise distributed pattern, said element having no layers comprising a thermally activated gas-generating composition. The image comprises residual black metal on the film base, and may be used for overhead transparencies, contact negatives/positives, and the like.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 1997Date of Patent: June 16, 1998Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co.Inventors: Richard E. Bills, Hsin-hsin Chou, Thomas A. Isberg, Charles C. Lee, William V. Dower, Martin B. Wolk, John S. Staral
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Patent number: 5725989Abstract: A thermal transfer donor element is provided which comprises a support, a light-to-heat conversion layer, an interlayer, and a thermal transfer layer. When the above donor element is brought into contact with a receptor and imagewise irradiated, an image is obtained which is free from contamination by the light-to-heat conversion layer. The construction and process of this invention is useful in making colored images including applications such as color proofs and color filter elements.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 1996Date of Patent: March 10, 1998Inventors: Jeffrey C. Chang, John S. Staral, William A. Tolbert, Martin B. Wolk, Claire A. Jalbert, Hsin-hsin Chou
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Patent number: 5710097Abstract: Process and materials are described for selectively placing uniform spacers on a receptor. Spacer elements are placed on a receptor by selectively irradiating a thermal transfer donor sheet comprising a transferable spacer layer. The transferable spacer layer may include particles or fibers to form a composite. The particles may have a spacing dimension either greater than or less than the thickness of the transferable layer. When the spacing dimension of the particle is greater than the thickness of the transferable layer, then the spacing dimension of the particles control the spacing distance. The process and materials are useful in the manufacture of flat panel displays, particularly, liquid crystal display devices.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 1996Date of Patent: January 20, 1998Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: John S. Staral, Claire A. Jalbert, William A. Tolbert, Martin B. Wolk, Allan R. Martens, Thomas A. Isberg